On Discovery Services and Search, Thus Said Stephen Abram

Stephen Abram

An important post from Dave Pattern about discovery services and search. I especially like the focus on looking at your analytics and taking them to the next level (for example cost per use of digital resources declining a lot and the ratio of physical to digital format access)... Read: Dave Pattern's Relevancy Rules

Dave Pattern says: 

OK, so why am I ranting on about all this stuff? It's simply because I've been pulling out some usage stats from our Summon instance…

• The library's print collection accounts for just 0.3% of the items, but accounts for 10.3% of the result clicks — I think our users are trying to tell us that they think our OPAC sucks and they'd rather use Summon to search for books
• 89% of the results clicked on appeared on the first page of results — as with Google, users rarely delve any further the page 1 of the results
• Only 2% of result clicks came from beyond the 4th page of the results — very few users will explore the long tail of results
• 50.5% of result clicks were for the first 4 results on page 1 — the majority of users won't even bother to scroll down the page!
• 72.3% of searches used 3 keywords or less — students are using their Google skills
• Since launching Summon, we've seen increases of 300% to 1000% in the COUNTER full-text download stats for many of the journal platforms we subscribe to — although "cost per use" can be a crude measure, we're getting much better value out of our e-resource subscriptions now.  Continue reading: Relevancy Rules in Self-plagiarism is style, Dave Pattern's blog 

On the same shelf (Discovery Services aka Federated Search):

• "For those unfamiliar with Summon  or web scale discovery services, many web scale discovery services will show items from the catalogue in the discovery search, but clicking on the result will bring you to the classic catalogue (web opac)." A survey of Library Virtual Shelves - 8 examples  
• The Ins and Outs of Evaluating Web-Scale Discovery Services   
• Discovering What Works: Librarians Compare Discovery Interface ...
• Articles on Discovery - Unified Resource Discovery Comparison
• Library Discovery Services – A Better Way to Find What You're ...
• The Truth About Federated Searching
• A Universal / Global Search Engine Remains an Elusive Target  

• Federated Search - Reading now

• Federated Search - What's in a name?

The library focuses on newcomers

PS. This article is reproduced with kind permission of Pradip Rodrigues @ canindia.com

The library focuses on newcomers

Last week I served as a panelist on a session titled “Newcomers and public libraries” at the Ontario Library Association (OLA) Super Conference held at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto. The OLA is Canada’s largest library organization and the Super Conference is the largest continuing education event in librarianship in North America. The room was filled to capacity with librarians from across the province who were grappling with a variety of issues dealing with newcomers.At the onset, moderator Stephen Abram made it quite clear that the library did a poor job marketing itself, he recognized the fact that librarians were the least diverse group of employees and ageing. It was evident that the OLA had to go after newcomers and we the panelist were there to have a conversation about the needs and special needs of newcomers.

Some suggestions I offered:
Most immigrants stumble into libraries quite by accident. It would be a great idea to actually have a public library in every airport of this country as it would go a long way to promote reading and would be the first great institution a newcomer to Canada would discover and develop a life-long relationship with it. Newcomers could get their… library cards and check out books about Canada along with their luggage if they so wanted or at least they could be told about the location of their new neighborhood library. I have personally seen newcomers in the library looking quite lost while librarians went about their business assuming they would approach them if they had any question. I suggested what the moderator termed ‘the retail approach’, where library staff come around and ensure the visitor is finding everything okay. I was peppered with questions- would newcomers be offended if asked if they were new to Canada? I explained that some newcomers who are trying to forget that fact may feel mildly offended, but suggested that perhaps library staff could ask if they were new to the library system.

All newcomers to Canada aren’t necessarily Asian, South Asian or black. I once met a White South African couple and their children who had immigrated a year earlier, passed this library many times but never entered assuming it was like the kind they had back in the old country which was nothing to write home about. They were amazed to know that the library system carried every major literary work, books and periodicals on current affairs, thousands of DVDs, CDs, books on tape, children’s books… Then they asked, “How much are the user fees?” When I told them it was all free, they couldn’t believe their ears and signed up for library cards immediately. Most newcomers are aware of the library, but do not realize its potential.

As a newcomer to Canada 14 years ago, the library was at the top of the great things I listed about this country. I devoured books on Canadian history, geography and politics, read guide books, watched DVDs and listened to great music on CDs. I developed a love and understanding of this country through library books and I am convinced a library can be one of the greatest tools to integrate newcomers into Canada.

Observation at my branch library
This weekend I was at my branch library in Mississauga where I saw a sign “Newcomer Information”. A young South Asian newcomer was being given literature and information about services he could access like the conversational English classes his wife could attend, places he could go to get his credentials recognized and resumes made. The man then left the library without even glancing at a book. I thought to myself, here is a man who has come into the library for information on settling in, but no effort was made to actually give him a tour of the library. I am quite sure he or his wife don’t have library cards. The man indicated that fluency in verbal and written English was their handicap, but not once through the conversation did the counselor suggest he explore the vast riches of the library. To me this was like a hungry man asking for directions to the food bank when he was in one already.

What can be done
If libraries in immigrant-rich GTA are figuring out ways to engage newcomers, libraries in parts of the province that are only now beginning to see more and more visible minorities are struggling. Librarians from Barrie and communities beyond are having to stock up on relevant material for newcomers, order books and periodicals in other languages and help them as best they can. Perhaps librarians across this country can start by engaging in some conversations with some of their users who happen to be newcomers and make them feel welcome.
By Pradip Rodrigues

Free library services vital for new immigrants - LIANZA

Thursday, 1 November, 2012, Voxy.co.nz
Public libraries are vital for helping immigrants find jobs and settle in New Zealand says the President of the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) Heather Lamond.

... Ms Lamond said whilst many public libraries were able to provide free internet access through the Aotearoa People’s Network Kaharoa (APNK), a number still had to charge for internet use.

"If this bill was passed it would bring us into line with other countries such as the UK, Canada and Australia, who have laws protecting free library services. This is our chance to give all New Zealanders the opportunity to further themselves and participate in our democracy." continue reading On the same shelf:

Newcomers to Canada: If you are a newcomer to Canada, this inspiring session is for you! @ Surrey Libraries

Canadian Libraries and Digitization - Thought for the day

While Canadian libraries' digitization is expected to be high by any measure of digitocracy*** (esp., in terms of capturing, storing, and sharing information), the following is an eye-opener: "less than 1 per cent of Canada’s archives or library content is digitized" Internet's evolution raises stakes for Canada's culture and competitiveness, Chris Carter, Toronto Star, Oct 5 2010

Extract from the same page: "When Canadians talk about the future of information, media and culture, Tom Jenkins also wants them to think about the tools used to share, store and consume that information."

Bottom line (from the same source, about Tom Jenkins' book: Managing Content in the Cloud - Enterprise Content Management 2.0):
"So why then is his book available in paper form? To reach those leaders who are rooted in the “old way” of engaging information yet who still make the decisions that will profoundly shape how Canada responds to a future they will barely recognize."

---------
***This idea of a measure of digitocracy is based on the plans and progress initiated in Canada, in 1997: Preparing Canada for a digital world: Final report of the Information Highway Advisory Council

Canadian libraries in 2010 -- Predictions and Forecasts made in 1980

The year 2010 is here and it brings a great opportunity to analyze the predictions made in 1980 in a book, Canadian libraries in 2010, by Prof. Samuel D Neill (University of Western Ontario, Canada). In my humble opinion a national study is due now.

I hope the Canadian library schools, and our professional associations will read this book again, and review specific strategies or policies envisaged in 1980, i.e., a pre-Internet era--to visualize where we really stand today.

Such a review will hopefully lead to a significant step in restating of what we do and how we do in moving forward with a clear mission and vision--towards whatever is beyond the age of Google, Web 2.0 and the semantic Web!!! This will be one way to tell the librarians of 2040 (another generation) why we do and when we do.

Extract [from the first few lines of the book: 'Canadian libraries in 2010']:
"The graduates of library schools in 1980 will be approaching retirement in 2010. Whatever is possible for libraries in those thirty years will fall largely on them to accept and implement. Those librarians now nearing retirement will not likely make any changes. They will make ajustment to new technology but not to the purpose of their institutions. Their successors to top management will make most of the changes indicated in this review between 1990 and 2000, and these will be consolidated, refined, and widely accepted in a spurt of enthusiasm between 2000 and 2010."

Canadian libraries in 2010, by Prof. S. D. Neill [(Samuel D. Neill, 1928-), Vancouver : Parabola, 1980. 144 p. ISBN: 092075810X] View: Library of Congress Catalog format View this record in: MARCXML | MODS | Dublin Core. More Books by this Author @ (Open Library) see also, AllBookstores.com

Professor Samuel D. NEILL is one of the founding faculty members of the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Western Ontario, Canada. His name is familiar to many for the award, 'Samuel D. Neill Scholarship for academic achievement for graduate work in library and information science.'

Content: Predictions, The Context & Evidence, The Canadian Studies, Guide to Major Topics.
Notes: "The topics chosen in the first section were taken from the Annual Review by Sheila Gibbs in the first issue of the Journal of the Canadian Library Science Society ..." p. 6.

What does a reviewer say:

This book IS far from being a forecast for the future of Canadian libraries. It only offers a few predictions very few references to Canadian publications, and even less emphasis on the Canadian scene. Its assertions about the year 2010 take the form of 12 essays of varying length and focus. The second part of the book counter balances the first Neill offers positive solutions to the problems foreseen in the first. The last part of the book conveys "the matrix of ideas and facts out of which predictions had grown." Neill lists his readings quotes, and then gives his own comments. Neill's idiosyncratic approach to the subject matter results in a text that is both exasperating and intriguing.

Recommendation—This text is more miscellany than a cogent manuscript. It is not to be
read as a whole but to be taken in parts.
Reviewer—Samuel Rothstem, Library Quarterly, Oct 1981, p. 445-46

Neill's another work (Dilemmas in the Study of Information. Exploring the Boundaries of Information Science) is cited in 'Information Technology in Librarianship: New Critical Approaches' by Gloria J. Leckie
"Neill's foremost service to subsequent work revolving around information has been to delineate aporias (conflicts that cannot seem to be resolved) explicitly and, implicitly, to suggest a dialectic: “Information is a social construct and communication is a social event... (p. 135)"

On the same shelf, The Canadian Encyclopedia:

Saleh, Nasser. "International Librarianship: What Can We Do Here In Canada?." Feliciter 56.6 (2010): 248-250.

In this article the author relates his experiences in handling presentations which include the question on the things which can be done in Canada to foster international librarianship. He states that the concept "international librarianship" has been mistaken assumed as a way to do charity to libraries in developing countries and quotes Stephen Parker for a working definition. He also cites Peter Lor for the types of motivation that propel people into international librarianship.

de Souza, Yvonne. "The Training Of International Librarians." College & Research Libraries News 61.2 (2000): 110.

Documents experiences of an internship at Columbia College, an international liberal arts college in Vancouver, British Columbia, and presents suggestions to libraries that may be interested in hosting international library staff. Factors to consider when planning an internship program; Required trainer's background; Incorporating English language training to the internship.

“Canada, Libraries in” “, E.L. Morton, Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science 4 (1970), p. 71-157; ”

“Canada, Libraries in, 1970-1979” “, B.L. Anderson, ELECT 36 (1983), p. 94-155; A. Drolet, the Canadian Libraries 1604-1960 (1960); L.S. Garry and C. Garry, to dir., Canadian Libraries in Their Changing Environment (1977);

P. McNally, Readings in Canadian Library History (1986 and 1996)

Moore, Kelly. "Become A Librarian -- See The World!." Feliciter 56.6 (2010): 230

In this article the author discusses the concept of international librarianship. She claims that the concept is oftentimes misunderstood as being a librarian in a foreign country, and clarifies that it refers to the collaborative effort among librarians across geo-political boundaries to share cataloguing data, create frameworks for cross-border inter-library loans and advance information literacy. She also invites other librarians to join associations, such as the Canadian Library Association.

Clubb, Barbara. "Globally Speaking." Feliciter 51.5 (2005): 201-202

The article reports on the focus of the Canadian Library Association (CLA) on Canada's role in the international librarianship. Specifically, the CLA aims to focus on the areas of disaster relief and development, support for the University of Western Ontario student project, and prepare for the 2008 International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) conference in Quebec City. The author relates her observations at the 2005 IFLA conference in Oslo, Norway.

Pretty, Heather. "Opening Doors To The Future: Canadian Library Month 2010." Feliciter 56.4 (2010): 172-174.

The article discusses the Canadian Library Month in 2010. It reveals that it will look onto library's past and rediscover new ways to celebrate its role and importance within the community. Also noted is the Canadian Library Week and Month timeline which is to promote libraries as a free resource in response to a drop in the purchase of books.

Neill, S D. "Books And Reading And Singleness Of Purpose." Canadian Library Journal 42.2 (1985): 57-62.

Neill, S. D. (Samuel D.). "The Reference Process And The Philosophy Of Karl Popper." Rq 24.(1985): 309-319.

Neill, S. D. (Samuel D.), 1928-. "Why Books?." Public Library Quarterly 12.2 (1992): 19-28

Neill, S D. "The Reference Process And Certain Types Of Memory. Semantic, Episodic, And Schematic." Rq 23.4 (1984): 417-423.

Using two sets of verbal protocols, three kinds of memory used by librarians for organizing facts are described and identified as they relate to the reference process--semantic (organizes things into categories), episodic (experiences), schematic (expectations). Implications for practice, education, and further research are suggested.

Neill, S D. "The Likely Impact Of New Technology On Libraries." Canadian Library Journal 39.5 (1982): 305-307.

Neill S. Libraries in the year 2010. Libraries In The Year 2010 [serial online]. October 1981

Neill, S D. "Farradane's Relations As Perceptual Discriminations." Journal Of Documentation 31.3 (1975): 144-157

Neill, Sam. "Books And Marshall Mcluhan." Library Quarterly 41.4 (1971): 311-319.

Marshall mcluhan, who has gained a reputation as an enemy of books because he has called them obsolet while concentrating his analysis of communication media on the electric variety, is, in fact, a man of the book as much as any librarian, although librarians have tended to ignore him, considering him to have no relevance for their 'science' this is to their detriment. Not only is the format of his books of interest, as a mirror of his message, but there is also evidence that his purpose is and has been from the beginning to find the peculiar qualities of print and books which make them necessary to man. He finds these qualities not in the content but in the form; qualities which provide a sensory balance of objectivity and perspective as opposed to the field perceptivity of television. In tracing the evidence of mcluhan's concern for the future of the book, we can see him a one who has, perhaps, ak greater perception of the value of books and libraries, for civilization, than many librarians.

Neill, Samuel D. "Who Needs To Go To A Graduate Library School?." Journal Of Education For Librarianship 13.4 (1973): 212-225

Answers the question posed with: 1) those who must understand the processes and patterns of knowledge structuring, and of man's thinking, in order to organize and dispense, effectively, knowledge and the knowledge base (information and the methods of acquiring knowledge); 2) those who must prove that their libraries are efficient and effective in meeting the needs and goals of the community; 3) those who must prove that libraries must be morally and financially supported as not only valuable but essential to the community.

____________________
A thought for libraries of tomorrow....:

"Colleges with lucrative online arms will get their nonprofit statuses revoked! All library functions will be outsourced! Campuses will be replaced by temporary versions in rented spaces that are built and disassembled at the beginning of each term! Scholarship will become more efficacious than ever before -- or will stagnate entirely!

Welcome to the future -- or, rather, to a series of many of possible “futures” posited in a new study released this month by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)..." ontinue reading: The Librarian's Crystal Ball @ Inside Higher Ed, June 23, 2010.

A tale of two countries' libraries - Canada vs USA

In recession-wracked U.S. cities they are being targeted for closure. Not so here

Sep 20, 2009 Toronto Star

Lynda Hurst
Feature Writer

EXTRACT: "What Canadians won't be seeing in the years ahead is outsourcing, which is happening in several U.S. states, most famously in Jackson County, Ore.

In 2007, it re-opened the doors to 15 public libraries after a lack of funds had forced them shut, the largest library closure in U.S. history. In the interim, the county outsourced them to a company called Library Systems & Services which now privately manages more than 50 across the U.S.

The American Library Association opposes creeping privatization, calling libraries "not a simple commodity but an essential public good that should be directly accountable to the public they serve."

"That trend," says a thankful Pyper, "is invisible up here." One thing librarians know for sure: The future is going to be expensive, but ensuring that people are literate – in all forms and formats – will pay big dividends, economic and otherwise, down the line."

Library Services for Newcomers to Canada: Embracing Cultural Diversity

by Kendra Bender (MLIS student, School of Library &
Information Studies, University of Alberta, CANADA), Information for Social Change Issue 26: Winter 2007- 2008.
Excerpt from the Canadian Library Association 2007 Students Article Contest
Press Release states: "The second runner-up is Kendra Bender for "Library Services for Newcomers to Canada: Embracing Cultural Diversity". Kendra is a student in the MLIS program at the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alberta. Comments on this entry were that it incorporates both personal experience and a professional research approach, it was well-written, timely and focuses on Canada. Kendra will also receive a cash prize courtesy of the Wosk Family and a choice of CLA publications." Read full press release.
Extract:
"...To help public libraries improve collections and services for Russian immigrants in Toronto, Dali (2004) conducted a study of the reading habits of this population. Unfortunately, the majority of respondents sampled in her survey were not satisfied with the collection of Russian-language books in their public libraries. However, the public library was characterized as a “place to spend time”, where English language materials about the history and customs of their new country could be accessed for free.[23] Accessing materials for free was a theme that reoccurred in Dali’s research. Improved income did not seem to reduce the respondents’ inclination to use the public library for acquiring desired Russian-language titles (if available), precisely because they were offered at no cost." continue reading
See also on the same shelf:

• Diversity Resources - Accommodation, Tolerance and Coexistence
• Religious Education of the Young - Multifaith Resource Series no.1
• Save the Time of the Godly: Information Mediators Role in Promoting Spiritual & Religious Accommodation

•  The Countries You May Like to Go with your American / Canadian MLIS - A literature survey
• Factors in success or failure of foreign-trained librarians in Canada

OLA CONFERENCE OPENS IN TORONTO - Super Conference 2009 Poll

A poll at the Ontario Library Association site has interesting results (as of 29 January, 2009):

Are you attending Super Conference 2009?

Yes, I usually do 48.7%
Yes, for the first time 20.9%
Not sure yet 6.2%
No, although I wish I could 17.6%
No, not interested 6.6%

January 28 – January 31, 2009, Metro Toronto Convention Centre

More Jobs For Librarians Than Ever Before: How True?

First, The Canadian News:

• Library Manager: More Jobs For Librarians Than Ever Before,
  IN THE NEWS -- “If you want a job right now and you’ve got an undergraduate degree, go to library school and get your masters of library science,” says Jason Bird, manager of library technical services for the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board in Canada.

Second, The American News:

• The 30 Best Careers for 2009
  U.S. News's annual list of 30 Best Careers gets updated for a rapidly changing economy. -- They haveranked librarianship as one of the 30 best careers for 2009.
• More Librarian Jobs Than Ever Before”?…12.31.08
  "I’m skeptical about the following from LibGig titled “Library Manager: More Jobs for Librarians Than Ever Before, but it may be perceived as true at least since library school enrollment appears to be up in general. Of course, it may be only in “the Great White North”"
• job search, n. see: endless frustration:The false “librarian shortage” has been discussed, at length, in many forums. What surprises me is how little this dichotomy between theory–a vast pool of aging librarians retiring as we speak–and reality–very few jobs open to the new librarian with little experience–is being addressed in practice....
  + a reader's comment: " large part of this problem is that library schools do not make library experience a mandatory part of the curriculum"
• why there is no librarian jobs

Bottom-line: Is it time to think inside the box or think outside the box. What is your response to this picture, with the background that you may have or by browsing the book displayed, above?